SACRAMENTO — "These are difficult days for the state of California. In my 20-plus years in state government, I have not encountered a more severe budget crisis. We all know that sacrifices must be made in order to restore fiscal balance. But as we make these difficult decisions, we must not abandon our priorities. Again and again the people of California have spoken. They emphatically have declared education as their top priority.

"The Governor's revised 2003-04 state budget responds to that message, and clearly continues to protect the progress we have made in public education and the future of our six million students. Unfortunately, there are unavoidable cuts, but the revised current year $70 billion budget, 41 percent of which goes to education, maintains the Proposition 98 guarantee while increasing per pupil spending by more than $200.

"This is a true commitment to education in difficult times.

"I am proud of the work this state has accomplished over the last few years improving student achievement and increasing test scores. I am particularly grateful, as the author of class size reduction, that this important education reform has been preserved in this budget proposal. There is no doubt that we are on the right track, and wavering in this resolve would have a devastating effect.

"Here is my commitment: The only responsible budget is one that contains new revenue. I pledge to do something every day to help ensure that the revenues called for in this budget come to fruition. I also intend to work with and encourage my former colleagues in the Legislature to support the proposal. We need to pass this spending plan and do so in a timely manner so schools can begin the difficult process of implementing the budget."